Everyone has their own idea of what belongs in the top 10 anime of all time, but this is my list based on views, popularity, and how strong the fanbase is.
1. One Piece
Top 1 is One Piece because it has crazy high views over many years and one of the most loyal fanbases in the world.
It follows Luffy, a boy who ate a strange fruit and can stretch like rubber. He dreams of becoming the Pirate King, so he builds a wild crew called the Straw Hat Pirates. Together they sail from island to island, fight powerful enemies and even the world government, all while chasing the legendary treasure “One Piece.” It feels like one huge adventure full of jokes, tears, and epic fights.
2. Naruto Shipuden
Coming in at number 2 is Naruto / Naruto Shippuden because of its massive global popularity and super nostalgic fanbase.
This anime follows Naruto, a loud, stubborn ninja with a dangerous Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside him. The village fears him at first, but he never gives up on his dream of becoming Hokage, the leader of the village. We watch him train, go on missions, make friends and rivals, and slowly prove to everyone that he’s not a monster—he’s a hero.
Naruto is here because it’s the definition of “from zero to legend,” and so many anime fans grew up with him.
3. Dragon Ball Z
Coming in at number 3 is Dragon Ball (especially Z and Super) because it’s a classic that multiple generations grew up watching.
The story focuses on Goku, a cheerful fighter from another planet who protects Earth. At first it’s about training and martial arts tournaments, but soon the fights go insane: Super Saiyans, aliens, gods, and universe-level tournaments. Every time Goku hits his limit, he finds a way to go even further.
It earns this spot because without Dragon Ball, a lot of other shonen anime wouldn’t even exist the way they do now.
4. Attack on Titan
Coming in at number 4 is Attack on Titan because it had huge global hype and one of the most intense, theory-filled fanbases ever.
In this world, humans live behind giant walls to survive against Titans—huge human-eating monsters. After a Titan destroys his home, Eren joins the military to wipe them out. At first it feels like a survival horror story, but over time it turns into a huge mystery about who the Titans really are, what’s beyond the walls, and who the real enemy is.
It’s here because the plot twists, dark themes, and moral questions had the whole internet talking.
5. Demon Slayer
Coming in at number 5 is Demon Slayer because of its record-breaking movies and super active fandom.
The story starts when Tanjiro comes home to find his family killed by demons, with his sister Nezuko turned into one. Instead of giving up on her, he protects her and joins the Demon Slayer Corps. He travels across Japan using beautiful sword techniques like Water Breathing and Flame Breathing, fighting demons that all seem to have tragic backstories.
Demon Slayer is in my top 10 because every episode looks like a movie, and the emotional fights hit hard.
6. Jujutsu Kaisen
Coming in at number 6 is Jujutsu Kaisen because it blew up very fast in views and online fan activity.
Yuji Itadori is a strong but normal high school boy until he swallows a cursed finger belonging to Sukuna, the King of Curses. Now Sukuna lives inside him. Instead of executing Yuji, sorcerers let him join a Jujutsu school so he can fight curses. With his classmates and his overpowered teacher Gojo, he battles monsters born from human fear, pain, and negativity.
Jujutsu Kaisen is here because it mixes dark horror, clean animation, and fun characters in a way that hooked people immediately.
7. My Hero Academia
Coming in at number 7 is My Hero Academia because it has strong streaming numbers and a huge hero-loving fanbase.
In this world, most people have Quirks—unique superpowers—but Izuku Midoriya is born without one. He still dreams of being a hero. His idol, the number one hero All Might, chooses him to inherit his power. Izuku joins U.A. High, a school for heroes in training, and we follow his journey as he learns to control his new Quirk and faces real villains.
It earns this spot because it feels like a love letter to superhero fans, with emotional training arcs and big “plus ultra” moments.
8. Pokemon
Coming in at number 8 is Pokémon because it has massive reach worldwide and a fanbase that spans many generations.
The anime follows Ash and his partner Pikachu, who start off not getting along. Ash travels from region to region, making new friends, catching Pokémon, battling Gym Leaders, and entering big tournaments. Each new region brings new Pokémon and legendary creatures, but Ash’s dream stays the same: he wants to become a Pokémon Master.
Pokémon is here because almost everyone has at least some childhood memory connected to it—whether from the anime, games, or cards.
9. Death Note
Coming in at number 9 is Death Note because it’s short, extremely popular, and almost every new anime fan is told to watch it.
A genius student named Light finds a notebook called the Death Note that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. He decides to use it to “cleanse” the world of criminals and become a god of justice. But a mysterious detective known as L starts hunting him. The story becomes a psychological war, full of mind games, traps, and strategy.
Death Note is on this list because it proves you don’t need tons of fights to make an anime intense—you can do it with pure brain battles.
10. Spy X Family
Coming in at number 10 is Spy x Family because it’s newer but already hugely loved by both hardcore anime fans and casual viewers.
A top spy code-named Twilight needs a fake family for an undercover mission, so he adopts a little girl named Anya and marries a woman named Yor. He doesn’t know that Anya can read minds and Yor is a secret assassin. They all pretend to be normal for their own reasons, but slowly they start to feel like a real family.
Spy x Family makes the cut because it’s wholesome, funny, and still has action—perfect for people who want something light but not boring.
